best Nylon strings????

Spanish_Fly

hi guys n gals im new on this forum
been playing for a good couple of years one problem tho
never used any other brand of strings but E Ball
what u recommend?
Fanks ;D

AlanRatcliffe

Hi SF

Welcome to the forum. Finally! A nylon player around these parts. You're playing Spanish/Flamenco I guess?

Ernie Ball make some of the worst nylon strings I've ever tried - the trebles almost never pitch properly and there is often one in a set that rings with more overtones than fundamental. Even the cheap Darco strings are better. Just say no.

For an all round classical string that's not too expensive, it's hard to beat the D'Addario hard tension. Augustines are good too, but the D'Addarios are a bit more consistent. With a bit more money to spend on strings, try and get Savarez Alliance strings (they are available, but usually have to be ordered from the distributor).

If you really want the Flamenco-style percussiveness out of your guitar, you have to go to the really high tension strings like the Savarez 520R, 520J or the versions with the wound treble strings (520P3 with a wound G, 520P with wound G and B and 520P1 with all three wound). Bear in mind that the higher tension you go, the shorter the lifespan of the trebles. I don't usually bother, but you can ask a shop to order extra sets of trebles, and the basses will usually last through three sets (the originals and two replacement sets).

Bothner's in Plumstead usually keep the 520R sets, as it's what I use - although they sometimes run out, so best to phone ahead and get them to order if they don't have.

BTW, Savarez' web site: http://www.savarez.com/

Gray

Welcome to the forum.

Would love to hear some of your work,
I've taken some interest in spanish guitar of late not towards playing but its beautiful on the ears.

Spanish_Fly

Hi guys thanks for the reply's
i've heard about D'Addarios, but like i said since i started playing abt 13yrs ago
i've been using Ernie Ball and it's time to move to D'Addarios
then maybe later try some of the others
@ Gray - u should try spanish music, it's a trip on it's own
and the skills u pick up will assist with Rock, Jazz and Classical. ?

AlanRatcliffe

Good one on the strings.

u should try spanish music, it's a trip on it's own

Just play someone Paco de Lucia's Castro Marin CD, specifically the track Gitanos Andaluces and they quickly realise what they are missing. Similarly, play DiMeola, de Lucia, McLaughlin's Friday Night in San Francisco and they realise that acoustic players can shred too.

I'm primarily an electric guitarist, but got into flamenco early on and it's a huge part of my electric style (well, a bastardised version of it).

Spanish_Fly

Alan Ratcliffe wrote I'm primarily an electric guitarist, but got into flamenco early on and it's a huge part of my electric style (well, a bastardised version of it).

i also play Rock, Jazz and Classical and Electric Guitar was my specialty
but it gets to a point where u start "hiding" behind your pedals
I personally have tried every style in the book and Spanish/Flameco was such a challenge i enjoyed it.
i now compose my own spanish, rock and jazz riffs, dont play other ppls music
PS: smoke some **** b4 u play ;D ?

AlanRatcliffe

PS: smoke some **** b4 u play

In my experience that makes me think I'm playing better, but it's an illusion. It's good for composing and getting into new uncharted territory though.

Now excuse me while I go and hide behind my effects rack (I use rack gear because I find my extremities stick out if I hide behind pedals) ;D.

Spanish_Fly

Alan Ratcliffe wrote
PS: smoke some **** b4 u play
In my experience that makes me think I'm playing better, but it's an illusion. It's good for composing and getting into new uncharted territory though.

Now excuse me while I go and hide behind my effects rack (I use rack gear because I find my extremities stick out if I hide behind pedals) ;D.

well we all react to things differently
lol stop hiding dude

Gray

u should try spanish music

Not sure about that just yet. Looks like alot of complex multiple finger picking. Im saying this by only ever seeing Santana on MTV.
That doesn't mean I doubt its ability to teach me something though but i primarily play with a pick and hardly ever venture too far without it.

All hatred can be directed to me via e-mail.

kayDUB

Spanish_Fly wrote but it gets to a point where u start "hiding" behind your pedals

uhh, u must take a look at my pedals, I'm hiding something...

AlanRatcliffe

kayDUB wrote uhh, u must take a look at my pedals, I'm hiding something...

...or overcompensating. ;D

Spanish_Fly

Alan Ratcliffe wrote
kayDUB wrote uhh, u must take a look at my pedals, I'm hiding something...
...or overcompensating. ;D

with all due respect to u guys
without ur effects
what can u do?

NorioDS

Spanish fly,

Without distortion and delay, what can you do? ;D

I love all guitar music, no really I do! But there's something about a distorted guitar that makes it sound a lot more emotional to me. I feel I can't hear the same level of expression out of classical guitar.

Spanish is absolutely amazing guitar and everyone should probably learn some of it because it's so emotive but it still, to my ears, doesn't come close to what you can do with an electrical guitar. The screaming and crying that a distorted guitar delivers is, to me, what it's all about.

I'm not trying to convert you, just explaining why we do it ?

Spanish_Fly

Norio wrote Spanish fly,

Without distortion and delay, what can you do? ;D

I love all guitar music, no really I do! But there's something about a distorted guitar that makes it sound a lot more emotional to me. I feel I can't hear the same level of expression out of classical guitar.

Spanish is absolutely amazing guitar and everyone should probably learn some of it because it's so emotive but it still, to my ears, doesn't come close to what you can do with an electrical guitar. The screaming and crying that a distorted guitar delivers is, to me, what it's all about.

I'm not trying to convert you, just explaining why we do it ?

i know how u feel dude im not saying i never owned an electric guitar
with very nice accessories, i still have it and i also formed a rock band
i started playing becoz of that sound, but the point im trying to make is
it's so easy to make something sound good with equipment
but is it really that good????
and im sure this discussion can go on for days becoz we al have a different outlook on music and that's what keeps music alive and original
except for Alien Ant farts ? ? ? 8)

AlanRatcliffe

without ur effects what can u do?

Whoops! I feel a flame war coming on ? That was treading dangerously close to troll-like, but for the sake of good discussion I'll take it at face value and respond.

What can I do? I can entertain a room full of people from kids to OAPs. With or without effects. Hell... even with or without electricity. Most importantly, I can have fun doing it. But enough about me...

Extensive effects usage does not necessarily mean that the player in question is unskilled and "hiding behind" the FX. Sure, some unskilled players do, but it doesn't follow that every player who uses effects is unskilled. Take a look at Adrian Belew, Robert Fripp, Steve Stevens, David Gilmour and even The Edge.

Similarly, some skilled players hide behind technique, treating it as the be-all and end-all of music. It's not - expression is. Regardless of how you choose to express yourself within music, whether it be sparse Jesus & Mary Chain style distorted chords, precise Baroque counterpoint or effects laden sonic sculptures, they are all valid approaches. From the styles of music you play, I know you are aware of this already, but what I'm getting at is: even if someone was "hiding behind" effects (or technique), does that necessarily make their music bad?

Sure, I could be a better player than I am... can't we all? I'm working on it, dammit ? - and will be until I die. I also like effects.

Gray

OAPs

Sorry to butt in but that doesn't stand fror Old A##ed People does it Alan?

AlanRatcliffe

;D "Old age pensioners" ("retired persons" if you insist on being P.C.)

kayDUB

Alan Ratcliffe wrote
kayDUB wrote uhh, u must take a look at my pedals, I'm hiding something...
...or overcompensating. ;D

Who me??? ?

Music is all about personal taste, so if a person enjoys using loads of delay and effects to create music, surely they should focus their attention on becoming as skilled as they can with them (ala Edge), why should they feel compeled to become skilled in what someone else thinks is "good" according to their taste? :-X

p.s. Without my effects I can tell jokes, carry amps, pretty much any roadie related skills... ;D lol!

NorioDS

I'm with you Kay -- you should focus on what you enjoy doing instead of trying to be some sort of god at what everyone else deems worthy.

Well said bro ?

MiKeZilLA

“I’ve found so many guitar parts from using the echo - it’s limitless. The biggest difference between me and other players is that I don’t use effects to color my parts. I create guitar parts using effects. They’re a crucial element of what I do so I don’t consider them a crutch... They’re a part of the art.” - Edge, ‘Total Guitar’, 2005